| 释义 |
▪ I. scrimp, a. and adv.|skrɪmp|
[This and the related scrimp v. first appear in the 18th c. The origin is obscure; cognate forms are Sw., Da. skrumpen shrivelled, MHG. schrimpfen (Mid.Ger. schrimpen str. vb.) to contract, trans. to wrinkle up (the nose), G. schrumpfen to shrivel; also shrimp n., in ME. a diminutive creature. More remotely allied are OE. scrimman to be paralysed, scram a.]
A. adj. Scant, scanty, meagre.
1718Wodrow Corr. (1843) II. 380 They say the young man is none of the greatest abilities, and the people are not so much for him, and his call scrimp; and it's alleged this aversion comes from the Presbytery. 1725Ramsay Gentle Sheph. iii. iv, He gangs about sornan frae Place to Place, As scrimp of Manners as of Sense and Grace. 1733W. Crawford Infidelity (1836) 59 Our own soul..is..too scrimp an image to give us either a full or clear representation of him. 1812Sir J. Sinclair Syst. Husb. Scot. i. 15 The accommodations necessary for preparing the grain for market ought never to be too scrimp. 1854Miss Keddie Phemie Millar I. ii. 24 Mrs. Millar in a scrimp dark green woollen dress. 1876Smiles Sc. Natur. xviii. 386 Edward, though poor and scrimp of means, has always enjoyed a happy home. 1897Westm. Gaz. 9 Nov. 1/3 Their scrimp management of the most lucrative investment in the world.
†B. adv. Scarcely, barely. Obs.
1824S. E. Ferrier Inher. xl, Not that he's come so far as to need it—for it's but scrimp six miles. 1834M. Scott Cruise Midge xi. (1863) 189 And I can scrimp deny that same.
▪ II. scrimp, v.|skrɪmp|
Also Sc. skrimp.
[See scrimp a.]
1. trans. To keep on short allowance; esp. with regard to food.
a1774Fergusson Poems (1807) 254 At Hallow-fair, whare browsters rare..dinna scrimp ye o' a skair O' kebbucks frae their pantries. 1818Scott Hrt. Midl. xxxix, I trust you winna skrimp yoursell for what is needfu' for your health. 1886Tennyson Locksley Hall 60 Yrs. After 221 There the Master scrimps his haggard sempstress of her daily bread.
2. To cut short in amount; to be sparing of.
1834Tait's Mag. I. 726/2 Pensions and sinecures were now defensible By wisdom's rules; and who could think of scrimping 'em. 1875Tennyson Q. Mary iii. iii, Do not scrimp your phrase, But stretch it wider.
3. intr. To economize, to be niggardly.
1848Lowell Biglow P. Ser. i. viii. Poems 1890 II. 131 While we are saving and scrimping at the spigot, the government is drawing off at the bung. 1909New York Observer 2 Sept. 313/2 The result of overwork in frequent but fruitless endeavors to scrimp on household expenses.
Hence ˈscrimping vbl. n. and ppl. a.
1855F. M. Whitcher Widow Bedott P. xxvii. (1883) 123 Bethiar Nobles..knows..how every lady in town carries on her kitchenary consarns, how scrimpin' they live, and all that. 1893Leland Mem. I. 290 This wretched scrimping prevailed through the whole business.
▪ III. scrimp, n.|skrɪmp|
[f. the vb.]
a. The act or process of scrimping; shortage, meagre allowance; economy, niggardliness.
1864R. M. Ballantyne Let. 29 Jan. in E. Quayle Ballantyne the Brave (1967) viii. 169 I'm sorry to hear about the scrimp with cash. Use the money I sent you. 1933[see door-step b]. 1970G. F. Newman Sir, you Bastard viii. 243 An existence without scrimp or worry.
b. Something constrained or crabbed (in quot., of handwriting). rare.
1939V. Woolf Let. 14 Apr. (1980) VI. 326 You're the only one of my friends who will take the trouble to read such a scrimp of a hand. |